Science and Engineering Associate 1

Abundance Network; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park seeks a Science and Engineering Associate to coordinate diverse groups, provide technical expertise, and support instruments and experiments. You will contribute to maintenance, upgrades, and operation of experimental systems under the LCLS division.

This role requires a strong background in mechanical, vacuum, lasers, and controls systems, plus experience supervising staff and communicating with researchers worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering or related science.
• Experience applying scientific and engineering principles to provide technical services.
• Experience with data analysis and prototyping of equipment/systems.
• Ability to write clear documentation and maintain research protocols.
• Experience supervising technicians and staff.
• Ability to liaise with researchers, staff, vendors, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Participate in technical research using/ developing experimental equipment, devices, and data analysis.
• Liaise between researchers, students, staff, scientists, vendors, and university staff; provide training.
• Support programs related to area of specialization; oversee experimental process and develop prototypes.
• Manage, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment and systems.
• Prepare drawings, material lists, requisitions, and engineering change requests.
• Coordinate installations; plan and execute operation phases; supervise maintenance.
• Acquire and maintain tools and chemicals for projects.
• Maintain research documentation and perform admin duties related to equipment.
• Oversee work of technicians and provide guidance to staff.
• Become familiar with instrument details for controls and vacuum systems.
• Diagnose and resolve instrument control/ vacuum delivery issues; escalate as needed.
• Assist instrument scientists and users in operation prep for instruments.
• Manage installation of new hardware components and instrumentation.
• Order, schedule, coordinate, and supervise work of technicians.
• Participate in planning, procurement, and installation cycles for new projects.
• Perform other related activities as directed by Experimental Operations Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Scientific principles

Data analysis

Documentation

Lab supervision

Communication

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree or related discipline

Job description

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of people to solve complex challenges? Does contributing to breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) Operations is seeking Science and Engineering Associates to join our team and provide leadership and support to scientific instruments and experiments. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a science Directorate at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. LCLS is the world’s first hard X-ray free electron laser (FEL). LCLS is operated as an international user facility, attracting hundreds of scientists from around the world to conduct first-of-a-kind experiments to study fundamental processes of chemistry, technology, and life itself. A suite of 10 instruments for exploiting the unique LCLS scientific capabilities has been produced.

The Science and Engineering Associate is responsible for coordinating efforts among many diverse groups, provide direct technical expertise in support of our science program and our Users from around the globe. Science and Engineering Associates Level 1 provide Work Planning and Control support while working with Scientists, Technicians and Engineers responsible for the configuration of the facility. The Science and Engineering Associate will be a key Technical member of one or multiple teams in charge of instruments and play an important role in maintenance, development and deployment of experiment specific systems as well as any upgrades to the systems. In this key role a fundamental knowledge of Mechanical, Vacuum, Lasers and Controls systems is required. You will support operations involving multiple disciplines utilized in research and experimental activities. This position reports to the LCLS Technical Associate Support Department within the LCLS Experimental Operations Division.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Participate in technical research utilizing and/or developing experimental equipment, devices, specimens, plans, designs, reports, and/or data analysis.
• Liaise between researchers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other university staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance.
• Support scientific and research programs related to area of specialization; analyze requirements, monitor and oversee experimental process, and design and develop prototypes, specialized equipment, and/or systems.
• Manage, modify, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment and experimental systems.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, engineering change requests, and other documents associated with development, fabrication, assembly, installations, and testing.
• Coordinate and work on scientific or engineering installations; plan and execute various phases of an operation, oversee schedule of equipment operations, and supervise routine maintenance.
• Acquire and maintain tools, equipment, and chemicals associated with experimental or engineering projects.
• Maintain documentation related to research studies and protocols, and perform administrative duties related to equipment and systems associated with research or engineering projects, as assigned.
• Oversee the work of technicians and other staff associated with the group/projects, and provide guidance to technicians, operators, and others working in particular scientific or engineering function area.
• Become familiar with the details of the instrument(s) in respect to controls and vacuum systems.
• Diagnose and resolve any problems that may arise with the instruments’ controls and vacuum delivery systems, or troubleshoot issues at a first level and identify tasks requiring expert knowledge.
• Interact with and assist instrument scientists and users from across the world in the preparation for operations of their specific instruments.
• Manage the installation, and ensure operation of new hardware-components, and instrumentation.
• Order, schedule, coordinate, and supervise the work of technicians and support staff.
• Participate in the planning, procurement and installation cycles for new projects and installation.
• Perform other related activities as directed by the Experimental Operations Manager.
• Other duties may also be assigned

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelors’ degree or certificate of completion in a related engineering or related scientific discipline, or five years of equivalent work experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience applying complex scientific and engineering principles and practices to perform technical services and support.
• Experience with data analysis, experimental process, design, and development of prototypes, equipment, and/or systems related to area of specialization.
• Ability to write clear documentation, perform administrative duties, and research protocol maintenance related to research studies and/or scientific/engineering projects.
• Experience overseeing a laboratory space or unit and supervising the work of technicians and other staff associated with the group/
• Ability to communicate, liaise, and work with staff, students, faculty, and outside vendors.
• Ability to effectively supervise and train a diverse work staff.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory explores how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invents powerful tools used by researchers around the globe. As world leaders in ultrafast science and bold explorers of the physics of the universe, we forge new ground in understanding our origins and building a healthier and more sustainable future. Our discovery and innovation help develop new materials and chemical processes and open unprecedented views of the cosmos and life’s most delicate machinery. Building on more than 60 years of visionary research, we help shape the future by advancing areas such as quantum technology, scientific computing and the development of next-generation accelerators.

SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.

As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Plan, develop and carry out complex technical projects in support of the scientific and engineering staff. These positions are professional lead technical jobs requiring a variety of design, coordinative and/or supervisory skills and experience in science and engineering.

Core Duties:

• Support scientific and research programs related to area of specialization; analyze data, monitor and oversee experimental process, and design and develop prototypes, specialized equipment, and/or systems.
• Modify, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment and experimental systems.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, engineering change requests, and other documents associated with development, fabrication, assembly, installations, and testing.
• Coordinate and work on scientific or engineering installations; plan and execute various phases of an operation, oversee schedule of equipment operations, and supervise routine maintenance.
• Acquire and maintain tools, equipment, and chemicals associated with experimental or engineering projects.
• Maintain documentation related to research studies and protocols, and perform administrative duties related to equipment and systems associated with research or engineering projects, as assigned.
• Liaise between researchers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other university staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance.
• Oversee the work of technicians and other staff associated with the group/projects, and provide guidance to technicians, operators, and others working in particular scientific or engineering function area.

Minimum Education and Experience

Associate Degree or certificate of completion in a related engineering or related scientific discipline and three years of relevant experience; or a combination of education and relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience applying scientific and engineering principles and practices to perform technical services and support.
• Experience with data analysis, experimental process, design, and development of prototypes, equipment, and/or systems related to area of specialization.
• Ability to write clear documentation, perform administrative duties, and research protocol maintenance related to research studies and or scientific/engineering projects.
• Experience with software applications, systems, or programs relevant for the job.
• Ability to interpret and determine validity of data and check own work.
• Ability to communicate, liaise, and work with staff, students, faculty, and outside vendors.
• Ability to effectively supervise and train a diverse work staff.